21/3/19: Apply hook defences, pad drill variations, syllabus work.

Drilling intensity, applying skills and syllabus practice was focus of this session.

Applying Hook defense drills:

applying a particular Hook defence off of the following feeds:

Jab lead hook
Cross lead hook
Body cross lead hook
Rear round kick lead hook

1) defend the first hit (jab - waslik/catch, cross - long guard or parry, body cross - elbow parry, round kick - crush) and then stepping off line extend arm to a bicep stop - fully extend arm to create distance and keep free arm up to protect head - follow up with lead elbow, rear elbow, rear knee rear round kick.

2) defend initial hit then crash in with lead elbow and use rear hand to block hooking arm (try and get inside the arc of the hook) - follow up with rear hook knee rear round kick

3) defend initial hit then bob and weave, body shot as you bob, cross hook switch kick with lead leg moving off line.

The key to this was intensity. the attacker was trying to make the attacks land forcing the defender to really focus at all times - this was almost like sparring

Pads: (3 min rounds)

1) Back to wall drill - partner calls out defence (half guard, double pillar, crazy monkey or anything goes) they attack for a bit then flash pads for a 4-6 hit combo before attacking you again.

2) Round kick defences (crush, cut kick, shuffle step) all followed with rear round, hook, cross, lead round kick

Syllabus:

I chose to use my time to quickly go through the majority of my syllabus, lightly touching on many aspects (various weapon drills and flows, parry repost, upper body arm flow, U drill, take down entries) as  a mini test that I "know" the material - not perfectly (its never perfect) but that I know how its done so I can then isolate and drill with more intensity each aspect in the next few sessions. useful to identify the specific areas that need more flight time.

Steve suggested using a times 2/3mins pick a technique and then drill it for that time repeatedly to polish a particular technique once you know what needs work on. (which is always all of it!)